Meet Erin Crosby, Clarkfield’s new councilwoman elect

Friday

Nov 16, 2012 at 5:13 PMNov 16, 2012 at 5:18 PM

Editor’s note: As a late write-in candidate for the Clarkfield City Council race, Erin Crosby was the only local candidate that the Advocate Tribune was unable to send introductory questions to. Fellow write-in electee Scott Vold, who appeared in the A/T’s Voters Guide will join Crosby as a freshman on the council, while Dave Biermaier and Mayor Gene Kockelmen return as incumbents.The race is over now, officially, and Crosby has won herself a seat. The following is a Q/A that should help Clarkfield get to know their new representation.

Editor’s note: As a late write-in candidate for the Clarkfield City Council race, Erin Crosby was the only local candidate that the Advocate Tribune was unable to send introductory questions to. Fellow write-in electee Scott Vold, who appeared in the A/T’s Voters Guide will join Crosby as a freshman on the council, while Dave Biermaier and Mayor Gene Kockelmen return as incumbents. Questions lingered after the election about Crosby’s eligibility to serve on the council due to the fact the she works for the Clarkfield Care Center, which is owned by the city, but recently Clarkfield City Attorney Dave Gilbertson weighed in and said Crosby was O.K. to serve because the facility is managed by an outside party. Yet, Crosby will have to recuse herself when motions concerning the Care Center are made. The race is over now, officially, and Crosby has won herself a seat. The following is a Q/A that should help Clarkfield get to know their new representation.

A/T: Can you tell us a little about your background and why you ran for city council?Crosby: I am 29 years old, married with four children. I have lived in Clarkfield for most of my life. I graduated in May of 2011, with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing. I am currently working as an RN at the Clarkfield Care Center. I have also been a volunteer EMT for the Clarkfield ambulance and I volunteer for the Clarkfield Area Charter School as their nurse.I ran for city council because I believe that I can make a difference in continuing to improve Clarkfield. There are many young families that have stayed here and many that are moving back to the area. I think I could be their voice and I am willing to listen. I want to see this town and the businesses in it succeed.

A/T: Were you surprised when you found out you had won a seat on the city council/ how did you find out?Crosby: My sister Darcy called and left a voicemail at 2:30 a.m. saying I was voted in to the city council. I then checked my facebook to find out.I wrote on my facebook page stating I was going to run for a “write in” candidate. I also put about 40 flyers on cars with the help of my kids the weekend before.

A/T: What do you believe is the appropriate role of a city councilman?Crosby: Somebody that will listen and that will have a positive attitude. Someone that believes in Clarkfield and is willing to do volunteer work themselves to make the town grow. In small towns people have to do multiple tasks to make the town operate and run efficiently.

A/T: What do you feel is the greatest obstacle facing Clarkfield?Crosby: I believe having local businesses that are able to stay here and residents supporting the local businesses and gaining new businesses for Clarkfield.

A/T: What is one thing that you would like to accomplish as a council or council member to improve the city and how should you or the council go about doing this?Crosby: One of the things I can think of is having more activities for children/teenagers. There is an organization that was started called “Young Families of Clarkfield” that is hosting a 5K Walk/Run Santa Dash on December 8th at the EMS building in Clarkfield. They are raising money for new playground equipment at North Park. This is one example of how residents can better their town if they are willing to do a little work by fundraising.